GLIN==> Lake Coal Trade Picks Up Steam in March

The pace of coal shipments on the Great Lakes in March point to a strengthening economy.  Coal loadings at U.S. and Canadian ports approached 500,000 tons, more than triple the volume moved a year ago.



Loadings at Superior, Wisconsin, quadrupled their level of a year ago.  Shipments from Toledo, Ohio, were triple that of a year ago.  Sandusky, Ohio, loaded no coal in March 2009, but shipped almost 150,000 tons this March.



Comparisons with previous years make clear the recession is not over.  However, it is reported that coal shipments on most major railroads are below a year ago, so the marine mode is outperforming a land-based mode of transportation.



As is typical, no coal was loaded in February, but through the first quarter, the Lakes coal trade stands at 1.1 million tons, an increase of 19.6 percent compared to a year ago.  The trade is down 57.7 percent when compared to the 5-year average for the January-March timeframe.



See attached more for details.


Glen G. Nekvasil
Vice President - Corporate Communications
Lake Carriers' Association
Suite 720
20325 Center Ridge Rd.
Rocky River, OH  44116
Phone: 440-333-9996
Cell: 216-702-6360


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